Presenting a collection of St. Louis bricks, sidewalk markers, and the Fleur-de-lis as architectural detail on and in city buildings, brick collecting, urban exploration, and my life by Christian Herman. Reporting from Tower Grove South in St. Louis, MO.

8/31/06

CORNER OF WHITTIER & COOKNorth St. Louis City

This photo was sent to me by my neighbor Mike G. A burned out mansion with columns supporting a turret. Looks like the original slate tile roof. What a tragedy.

This building has been standing empty for years in TGS. A proposal was recently accepted for its redevelopment. I'm relived since it's a killer art deco building that once housed 12 efficiency apartments. Each apartment had two entrances and a perfect floor plan with plenty of closets and storage space in the kitchens. It will be turned into 6 market rate condos. UPDATE 07/18/07 Still owned by LRA.

It is fronted with 'wormed' brick, the parking garage is no longer standing, only the pads. Parking will be an interesting consideration.

Lots of views from the roof, the building sits at the crest of the hill on the corner of Potomac and Oak Hill.

8/20/06

41xx Connecticut. The Victorian Manse with a crazy turret that used to scare my little sister Efficient when we were kids.

The building extends all the way back to the alley. Towards the back top there's a little play house. My theory is that this was the first house on this area, it rests on the crest of the hill. Some fool covered it with asbestos tile siding.

It was recently bought by a woman who told me she stalked the building for a year before buying it. Previous to her purchase it housed at least three different apartments inside.

8/16/06

HAUNTED BRICK(basket weave, 42 Utah)

Was strolling the MGF with my friend Tim last night. He's an architect and I am enamored of his tutelage on brick bonds. While snapping a photo of basket weave bonding and the building that host it, Tim exhaled.

8/13/06

8/11/06

I do some creative driving and it allows me do conduct Brick spotting while motoring through the city. Fleur-de-lis spotting is my version of a scavenger hunt. It requires chronic scanning.Page Blvd, north St. Louis.